Automatic fire-extinguishing apparatus.



E. L. THOMPSON.

AUTOMAHC FIRE EXTINGUISHING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24.1914.

1,245, 134 Patented Oct. 30, 191?.

W/TNESSES fizz/(0% C? j )6 l/VVE/VTOR yam; I v I BY mmrmmvfys rrnnsanans Parana entree,

EVERETT L. THQMPSON, OF DOVER, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO SYPHO-CHEMICALSPRINKLER CORPORATION, OF CBOTON-ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK, A CORPORA- 'IIONOF NEW YORK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented @ct. 30, 191?.

Application filed. January 24, 1914. Serial No. 814,032.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EVERETT L. THOMP- SON, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and resident of Dover, Morris county, New Jersey, have made acertain new and useful Invention Relating to AutomaticFire-Extinguishing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification,taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, which forms part ofthe same.

This invention relates especially to automatic fire extinguishingapparatus in which the distributing system may comp-rise automaticsprinkler heads, hose connections or other distributing devices and ispreferably provided with a priming or actuating tank which together withthe distributing system itself may normally contain water or othernon-freezing extinguishing liquid for low temperature work. Underemergency conditions when the liquid is withdrawn from the distributingsystem and connected actuating tank a suitable pressure change is causedin the actuating tank and adjacent parts of the system which may operateany desired emergency device, such as any chemical or other supplementalfluid supply de vice to supply additional extinguishing fluid to thedistributing system.

The accompanying drawing shows in a somewhat diagrammatic wayillustrative embodiments of this invention in elevation, parts beingshown in section.

The distributing system may be of any desired type and may as indicatedcomprise one or more risers 1 to which may be connected variousdistributing pipes, such as 2 on which automatic sprinkler heads or devices 3 may be arranged at suitable intervals and the system may alsocomprise other distributing devices, such as hose distributing devicesor connections 5 to which hose lines may be connected and operated whentheity to furnish an initial supply of extinguishing liquid when thesystem first gets into action in the event of fire, for which purpose itis sometimes desirable to have this supply tank initially underconsiderable air pressure where a more forcible initial discharge of theextinguishing liquid is desired. The desired head may, however, besecured by gravity when the actuating or priming supply tank, such as 6,is carried up sufiiciently beyond the distributing devices andconnected, for instance, to the riser l of the distributing system, andin such an arrangement as is diagrammatically illustrated in the drawingit is desirable to provide'in connection with the top of the tank oradjacent parts of the distributing system a suitable reduced equalizingdevice normally having a pin-hole or reduced equalizing venting passagefor the slow escape or ingress of air caused by the expansion due toordinary temperature changes. The equalizing valve 9 is shown for thispurpose and is preferably of needle valve construction so as to allowthe ready venting of air through the vent pipe 8 when filling theactuating tank and other parts of the distributing system in the firstplace with the water or other aqueous extinguishing liquid, 7, such as asuitable solution of soluble and substantially inert salts to reduce thefreezing point of the liquid for low temperature service. This ventvalve may of course be subsequently nearly closed to give the normalreduced vent passage desired.

Under emergency conditions when one or two of the automatic sprinklerheads open or when the other distributing devices are brought into play,the extinguishing liquid in the system is instantly available forputting out the fire and the discharge of this liquid involves thewithdrawal of liquid from the substantially closed actuating tank so asto cause a decided pressure change therein and in the ad acent parts ofthe distributing system. Any suitable emergency devices may be used inconnection with this actuating tank or connected parts for supplyingadditional extinguishing liquid to the system or for alarm purposes orboth and the automatically operated emergency devices may be located atany convenient point and be connected with the actuating tank orconnected parts in which the pressure change takes place in an suitahleWay, as for instance loy the suitable actuatina connection or pipe Whichmay he normally filled with liquid and connected to the actuating tank 6or the adjacent of the distributing system, as is indicated and alsoconnected with the emergency or control do vice 12. This emergencvdevice may comprise a control chamber Which may it desired be normallyfilled with liquid and have a control diaphragm such as 13 of metal orother suitable material connected to the control stem 35Whl0l1 may havethereon the flange 3a with which if desired a suitable spiral spring,such as 85 may cooperate to normally raise the stem and diaphragm whenthe parts are in the vertical position indicated in which they may hesupported as by the hracket 1%. Under normal conditions of the systemthe fluid in the control chamber is under considerable static r therpressure so as to exert considerable pressure on the control diaphragnuUnder emergency conditions, however, the Flow of satin ,guishing liquidfrom the distributing devices causes pressure change in the actuatingtank or connected parts and the actuating connection with these partscommunicates this pressure change to the control device Where thecontrol diaphragm is thus caused to move because of its resiliency orthe springaction or both, so as to operate the stem and any othersuitable emergenc'j devices desired. For instance a suitable alarmdevice may be readily actuated in this Way as through suitable electriccontacts, such as the movable or pivoted contact 32 actuated hy movementof the stem so as to he swung into engagement With the stationaryinsulated contact 33 and thus close a circuit through the alarm deviceor hell 30 and battery 31 under emergency conditions. ll desired alsoany similarly connected or actuated electrically operated emergency device may he used to supply supplemental errtinguisher fluid to thedistributing system and such an arrangement is somewhat diagrammaticallyshown in the drawing as comprising a supplemental suoplypipe 22 WlllCllmay he connected with the distributing system through the check valve 23preferably having slight difierential action so as to normally remainclosed, but arranged so as to readily open and allow Water from the cityconnection or other Water supply pipe 2% to enter the distributingsystem when the valve or other connected emergency supply device 25 isactuated. This valve or device may be electrically actuated as by anysuit able mechanism 26 released or operated by the magnets or solenoids27 which may he in the circuit 2829 in which any suitable battery 31 andthe electric contacts 82, 33 are included.

Any supplemental fluid supply for the istrilouting system such as anypressure actuated supplemental fluid supply may be used to supplyadditional extinguishing uid under emergency conditions and sucharrangement may be used in addition to or instead or the supplementalfluid supply above referred to. Such a chemical pressure actuatedarrangement is shown in the drawing as comprising a chemical supply tank38 which may he connected with the distributing system in any suitableivay, this connectionbeing' preferably of an automatic venting characterso as to prevent or minimize jrnixture of the liquid in the distributingsystem and the liquid used in the cheniica supply tank. lhe connection18, which may he used With advantage in my chemical or other pressureoperated supply tank With the cooperating distributing system of thevvet pipe or dry pipe type, may comprise a suitable cut-oil or checkvalve such as between the distributing system and the chemical supplytank and may preferably also comprise an automatic venting drain devicesuch as l9 oetvveen the valve and i ll; i ls shown in the drawing thisventdevice may comprise the venting iioat valve cooperating a suitablepinholeor small sized venting or discharge n to allow the opening whichis norms lly ope escape oi air or other inateria vh le uncle emergencyconditions when fluid fills this connection and drain device the floatl6 onnected to this valve rises and holds this iloat valve tightlyclosed against its seat. The connection may have the depending portionextending Within the chemical supply so that its receiving end 39 isadjacent the bottom of the tank Where it may desired he provided with asuitable strainer of wire gauze or the like. if desired also an airescape or venting aperture or connection with the upper part of thesupply tank which is normally filled With air may lead to thisconnection 20 at any point between the tank and check valve. air escapeor venting aperture 21 may be formed in the connection inside the tankpreferably adjacent the top of the air space therein so as to allow forthe escape through this pinhole aperture of any air or gases from timeto time while not interfering with the emergency operation of thedevice. This chemical supply tank may contain th desired solution l0 anda corresponding quantity of sulfuric or other suitable acid may arrangedWithin an acid container such as the tipping acid container 37 which mayhave a loosely fitting cover il and be normally retained in the inactiveposition indicated hy the control stem 86. 'When, however, underemergency conditions this control stem is moved by the emergency orcontrol from contact with device it is withdrawn amount of any suitablecarbonate images the acid container which is thus released and allowedto overturn so that the acid can mix in the desired way with thecarbonate liquid. This efi'ects the well known chemical reactionforthwith and generates high pressure within this tank so as to forcethe extinguishing liquid through the connection into the dis tributingsystem to be discharged from the operating distributing devices andsupplement the extinguishing action of any other fluid that may havebeen originally contained in the distributing system.

This invention has been described in connection with a number ofillustrative embodiments, forms, elements, materials, parts andarrangements, to the details of which disclosure the invention is not ofcourse to be limited, since what is claimed as new and what is desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim 1. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing systemnormally charged with non-freezing extinguishing liquid and com- 1prising automatic sprinkler heads and hose distributing devices, anactuating supply tank containing said extinguishing liquid and connectedto the upper part of said distributing system, a reduced area equalizingdevice connected to the upper part of said actuating tank to permit apressure change to take place in said actuating tank and adjacent partson the emergency operation of the system, an emergency device comprisinga control chamber and a cooperating movable control diaphragm member, anactuating connection between said emergency de vice and saiddistributing system adjacent said actuating tank to normally put saidcontrol member under pressure, a supplemental fiuid supply for saiddistributing system comprising a chemical supply tank, a tipping acidcontaine cooperating with said chemical supply tank and a control stemoperatively connected to said control diaphragm member and normally inthe path of said acid container to effect the operation of said chemicalsupply tank when said emergency device receives its emergency actuation.

In actuating sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normally chargedwith extinguishing liquid and comprising auto matic distributingdevices, an actuating supply tank containing said extinguishing liquidand connected to the upper part of said distributing system, a reducedarea equalizing device connected to the upper part of said actuatingtank to permit a pressure change to take place in said actuating tankand adjacent parts on the emergency operation of the system, anemergency device comprising a movable control diaphragm member, anactuating connection between said emergency device and said distributingsystem adjacent said actuating tank to normally put said control memberunder pressure, a supplemental fluid supply for said distributing systemcomprising a chemical supply tank, an acid container cooperating withsaid chemical supply tank and a control stem operatively connected tosaid control diaphragm member to efi'ect the operation of said chemicalsupply tank when said emergency device receives its emergency actuation.

In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normally chargedwith extinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices,anactuating supply tank containing said extinguishing liquid andconnected to the upper part of said distributing system, a reduced areaequalizing device connected to the upper part of said actuating tank topermit a pressure change to take place in said actuating tank andadjacent parts on the emergency operation of the system, an emergencydevice comprising a movable control member, an actuating connectionbetween said emergency device and said distributing system to normallyput said control member under pressure, a supplemental fluid supply forsaid distributing system comprising a chemical supply tank, an acidcontainer cooperating with said chemical supply tank and operativelyconnected to said control member to efi'ect the operation of saidchemical supply tank when said emergency device receives its emergencyactuation.

4. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices,an, actuating supply tank containing said extinguishing liquid andconnected to the upper part of said distributing system, a reduced areaequalizing device connected to the upper part of said actuating tank topermit a pressure change to take place in said actuating tank andadjacent parts on the emergency operation of the system, an emergencydevice comprising a movable control member, an actuating connectionbetween said emergency device and said distributing system to normallyput 115 said control member under pressure, a supplemental fluid supplyfor said distributing system and operatively connected to said controlmember to efiect the operation of said supplemental fluid supply whensaid 120 emergency device receives its emergency actuation.

5. In actuating sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising auto- 125 maticdistributing devices, an actuating supply tank containing saidextinguishing liquid and connected to the upper part of saiddistributing system, a reduced area equalizing device connected to theupper 130 c extinguishing liquid and coinp part oft said actuating tankto permit a pressure change to take place in said actuati tank andadjacent parts on the emergency operation of the system, an emergency device comprising a movable control diaphragm member, an actuatingconnection between said emergency device and said distributing systemadjacent said actuating tank, a supplemental fluid supply for saiddistributing system comprising a chemical supply tank, an acid containercooperating with said chemical supply tank and control stein operativelyconnected to said con diap iragin member to edect of said chemicalsupply ta emergency device recei es tuation.

6. in automatic sg' nus, a distributing system nor-i d with tributingdevices, an ting si containing said @XiiiiiLLlSll connected the upperpart L l uting system, a reduced area equalizing dc vice connected tothe upper part of said actuating tank to permit a pressure che in saidactuating tank adjacent on the emergency operation of the system, an emrgency device comprising a movabl croi member, an actuating connectionisto take place i system, a supplemental fluid supply i'or saiddistributing system comprising a chemical supply tank, an acid containercooperating sail che nical supply tank and operatiy ly connected to saidcontrol roe-robe to effect the operation oi said chemical supply tankwhen said emergency device recei es its emergency actuation.

7. automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normally chargedextinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices, an actuatingsupply tank containing said extinguishing liquid and connected to theupper part of said distributing system, a reduced area equalizing deviceconnected to the upper part of said actuating tank to permit a pressurechange to take place in said actuating tank-and adjacent parts on theemergency operation of the system, an emergency device comprising amovable control inernber, actuating connection between said emergencydevice and said distributing system, a supplemental fluid supply forsaid distributing system and operatively connected to said controlmember to effect the operation of said supplemental fluid supply whensaid emergency device receives its emergency actuation.

8. in automatic fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributing systemnormally charged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automaticsprinkler heads and hosedisdevices and an actuating supply tankcontaining extinguishing liquid con= nected to tl e upper part of saiddistributhaving its upper part subly io ed under emergency conditions tocause suction pressure change in said actuating tak and adjacent partson the emergency operation of the system, an emergency device, an alarmdevice operati ely connected with said emergency de vice, an actuatingfluid connection between t ansniit fluid ressure thereto, a sup- :orsaid distributing system comprising a c-neinical supply tank,

utoinatically closing enting connection between said chemical supplytank and said acid container cooperating with nical supply tank to effecthe opersaid emergency device receives its ttinguishing apparainnormally charged of said supplemental fluid supply i uishing liqiid andcomprising devices and an actuating supply tank aining extinguishingliquid connected LO he upper part or? said distributing a liai its upperpart substanlly closed under emergency conditions to 9% so a suctionpressure change in said acing tank and adjacent parts on theeinerooeration ot the system, an emergency an actuating fluid connectionbetu said emergency de ice and said dis- 1G6 tributing system adjacentsaid actuating tank to normally transmit fluid pressure tln eto, asupplemental iluid supply for S5 id distributing systern comprising acherni- .7 cal suppl tank and an acid container co with said chemicalsupply tank to operation of said supplemental fluid supply when saidemergency device receives emergency actuation.

10. In automatic fire extinguishing apparatus, a distributi: g systemnormally on rged with extinguishing liquid and complising distributingdevices and an actuatni supply tank containing extinguishing iuuidconnected to the upper part of said istributing system, and having itsupper part substantially closed under emergency conditions to cause apressure change in said actuating tank and adjacent parts on theemergency operation of the system, an emergency device, an actuatingconnection between said emergency device and said distributing systeinadjacent said actuating tank. a supplemental tluid supply for saiddistributing system connected to said emergency device to be operatedwhen said emergency oevice receives its emergency actuation.

ii, In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distriounng system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automatic distributingdevices, an actuating supply tank containing extinguishing liquid andconnected to the upper part of said distributing system andsubstantially closed under emergency conditions, to cause a pressurechange in said actuating tank and ad- 'ja'cent parts on the emergencyoperation of the system, an emergency device comprising a controlchamber and a cooperating movable control diaphragm member, an actuatingconnection between said emergency device and said distributing systemadjacent said actuating tank to normally put said control member underpressure and a supplemental fluid supply for said distributing systemcomprising a chemical supply tank operated when said emergency devicereceives its emergency actuation.

12. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising automatic distributingdevices, an actuating supply tank containing extinguishing liquid andconnected to the upper part of said distributing system andsubstantially closed under emergency conditions to cause a pressurechange in said actuating tank and adjacent parts on the emergencyoperation of the system, an emergency device comprising a movablecontrol member, an actuating connection between said emergency deviceand the upper part of said distributing system to normally put saidcontrol member under pressure-and a supplemental fluid supply for saiddistributing system comprising a chemical supply tank operated when saidemergency device receives its emergency actuation.

13. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices,an actuating suppl tank containing extinguishing liquid an connected tothe upper part of said distributing system and substantially closedunder emergency conditions to cause a pressure change in said actuatingtank and adjacent parts on theemergency operation pf the system, anemergency device comprising a movable control member, an actuatingconnection between said emergency device and said distributing system tonormally put said control member under pressure and a supplemental fluidsupply for said distributing system operated when said emergency devicereceives its emergency actuation.

14. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising distributing-devices,an actuating supply tank containing extinguishing liquid and connectedto the upper part of said distributing system and substantlally closedunder emergency conditions to cause a pressure change in said actuatingtank and adjacent parts on the emergency operation of the system, anemergency device comprising a movable control member and an actuatingconnection between said emergency device and said distributing system.

15. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising distributing devices,an actuating supply tank containing extinguishing liquid and connectedto the upper part of said distributing system, having a reduced areaequalizing device and substantially closed under emergency conditions tocause a pressure change in said actuating tank and adjacent parts on theemergenc operation of the system, an emergency evice comprising amovable control member and an actuating connection between saidemergency device and said distributing system.

16. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with extinguishing liquid and comprising auto- I maticdistributing devices, an emergency device comprising a chamber and acooperating movable control diaphragm member, electric contactscooperating with said diaphragm member, an alarm device opera tivelyconnected with said contacts, an actuating connection between saidemergency device and said distributing system to normally put saidcontrol member under liqvice comprising a movable control member,

an actuating connection between said emergency device and saiddistributing system to normally put said control member under liquidpressure and to transmit thereto a pressure change on the emergencyoperation of the system, a supplemental fluid supply for saiddistributing system comprising a chemical supply tank, an acid containercooperating with said chemical supply tank and control means connectedto said control member and cooperating with said acid container to allowthe operation of said supplemental fluid supply when said emergencydevice receives its emergency actuation.

18. In automatic sprinkler apparatus, a distributing system normallycharged with device. and said distributing system to nornmll' put saidcontrol member under liquid pressure To Liensmie thereto a, presemechange on Elie emeir enoy on on of E ie sysieiii a supoleiii iv for saiddistributing system a control means 10 connected to said cei zel memberto allow the operation 01" said. supplemental fluid. supply when saidemergency device receives its emergency actuation.

EV L. THQMP Gll.

ll itnesses:

Elem? L DUNQAN, Joe. MANE

